(June 26, 2015) –This Monday  (weather permitting), the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) will shift traffic on MD 5 (Branch Avenue​) from Manchester Drive to Auth Way  in Temple Hills, Prince George’s County as part of an ongoing $37 million interchange reconstruction project.

To facilitate the shift, on Monday, SHA will close a single northbound right lane from  9 a.m. until Tuesday morning at 6 a.m., reducing traffic to two lanes on northbound MD 5. The lane closure is necessary as crews shift traffic onto the newly constructed road. SHA asks for your patience as crews work to complete the project.

The new traffic pattern will allow crews to begin work in the median along MD 5. Crews will also continue construction on a new pedestrian bridge, a vehicular bridge and a new access road from southbound MD 5 to the Branch Avenue Metro station. To date, crews have completed substantial portions of utility relocation work, street light installation, bridge abutment work and storm water management construction. Weather permitting; all phases of construction should be complete in spring/summer 2017.

In addition to this project, drivers may also encounter mobile or short-term work zones. Click here for a listing of major SHA projects in Maryland.  Always expect the unexpected, pay extra close attention and drive slowly through any work zone. Whether it’s a tree trimming operation or a bridge project, be aware when orange is there: Think Orange (the color of construction equipment and signs), stay alert and slow down. Everyone is at risk.

In four out of five work zone-related crashes, it is the driver or passenger who is injured or killed. In 2014, nine people lost their lives in Maryland work zone crashes, including four highway workers. While SHA and its transportation partners work hard to keep traffic safely moving in work zones, please partner with us because work zone safety is everyone’s business – slow down and stay alert. Safer driving. Safer work zones. For everyone.